---
name: "kvm_getloadavg"
section: "3"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/kvm_getloadavg"
---

# kvm\_getloadavg(3)

get load average of the system

## NAME

**kvm\_getloadavg** – get load average of the system

## LIBRARY

Kernel Data Access Library (libkvm, -lkvm)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<kvm.h\>**

*int*\

**kvm\_getloadavg**(*kvm\_t \*kd*, *double loadavg\[\]*, *int nelem*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **kvm\_getloadavg**() function returns the number of processes in the system run queue of the kernel indicated by *kd*, averaged over various periods of time. Up to *nelem* samples are retrieved and assigned to successive elements of *loadavg*\[\]. The system imposes a maximum of 3 samples, representing averages over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes, respectively.

## DIAGNOSTICS

If the load average was unobtainable, -1 is returned; otherwise, the number of samples actually retrieved is returned.

## SEE ALSO

[uptime(1)](/uptime/1.md), [getloadavg(3)](/getloadavg/3.md), [kvm(3)](/kvm/3.md)